Monochrome Home - Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Our home! The West Side of St. Paul originally got it's name not from the fact that it sits west of St. Paul, but because at this point of the river, the Mississippi bends from its north-south bearing, to an east-west, placing the West Side on the left or 'West' side of the river. In fact, this is the only St. Paul neighborhood on the ‘other’ side of the Mississippi River.
It took a long time for this area to become part of the city, partially because of geography and partially because this land was Dakota territory until treaties were signed in 1851. After that it was first ferry crossings, then bridges like the early woodend Wabasha street bridge that helped the early community grow. As the low lands near the river were threatened by frequent flooding, most businesses and housing sought locations higher up the bluff.
The initial Dakota, French-Canadian, German and Irish immigrants were met by subsequent eastern European and Russian Jews and later large Mexican communities. While it became it’s own city of West St. Paul at one time, it has since been reincorporated into the larger city of St. Paul.
Business such as the Yoerg and Bruggeman Breweries found favorable conditions along the caves of the sandstone bluffs. Other manufacturing industries grew as did the working communities that supported them.
Early on it was the wealthy who built their more affluent housing along the top of the bluff and much of the poorer and working class who built below. But over time there has been a more equal distribution of classes throughout the West Side.
Such churches as the Church of St. Michael at 389 S. Robert St. reflect the cultural evolution of the West Side community. Once Irish Catholic the tower has since been renamed Torre de San Miguel, in recognition of the Chicano community that now resides there.
Other notable locations include the Omaha Swing Bridge, and Harriet Island, which is one of St. Paul’s most popular festival sites and provides a grand view of the city.
"Today, much of the heart of the West Side can be seen in established Mexican segments of the neighborhood, where the culture thrives." "In fact, the West Side's Cinco de Mayo fiesta is one of the ten largest in the United States." There are also Syrian and Lebanese influences that make the West Side even more unique.
Today the West Side remains a part of St. Paul, but it’s distinctive not only in the geographic location of where it resides, but also in the culture of the communities that have helped to create it.
Credit: https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/155
West Side
Our home! The West Side of St. Paul originally got it's name not from the fact that it sits west of St. Paul, but because at this point of the river, the Mississippi bends from its north-south bearing, to an east-west, placing the West Side on the left or 'West' side of the river. In fact, this is the only St. Paul neighborhood on the ‘other’ side of the Mississippi River.
It took a long time for this area to become part of the city, partially because of geography and partially because this land was Dakota territory until treaties were signed in 1851. After that it was first ferry crossings, then bridges like the early woodend Wabasha street bridge that helped the early community grow. As the low lands near the river were threatened by frequent flooding, most businesses and housing sought locations higher up the bluff.
The initial Dakota, French-Canadian, German and Irish immigrants were met by subsequent eastern European and Russian Jews and later large Mexican communities. While it became it’s own city of West St. Paul at one time, it has since been reincorporated into the larger city of St. Paul.
Business such as the Yoerg and Bruggeman Breweries found favorable conditions along the caves of the sandstone bluffs. Other manufacturing industries grew as did the working communities that supported them.
Early on it was the wealthy who built their more affluent housing along the top of the bluff and much of the poorer and working class who built below. But over time there has been a more equal distribution of classes throughout the West Side.
Such churches as the Church of St. Michael at 389 S. Robert St. reflect the cultural evolution of the West Side community. Once Irish Catholic the tower has since been renamed Torre de San Miguel, in recognition of the Chicano community that now resides there.
Other notable locations include the Omaha Swing Bridge, and Harriet Island, which is one of St. Paul’s most popular festival sites and provides a grand view of the city.
"Today, much of the heart of the West Side can be seen in established Mexican segments of the neighborhood, where the culture thrives." "In fact, the West Side's Cinco de Mayo fiesta is one of the ten largest in the United States." There are also Syrian and Lebanese influences that make the West Side even more unique.
Today the West Side remains a part of St. Paul, but it’s distinctive not only in the geographic location of where it resides, but also in the culture of the communities that have helped to create it.
Credit: https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/155
Busy Downtown Saint Paul is home to the grand Minnesota State Capitol with its memorial-filled Mall, as well as major performing arts venues and museums like the Minnesota History Center and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Nearby, walking and cycling paths run along the Mississippi River. Eating and drinking options range from chic bistros and a landmark art deco diner to trendy brewpubs with live music.
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Downtown
Busy Downtown Saint Paul is home to the grand Minnesota State Capitol with its memorial-filled Mall, as well as major performing arts venues and museums like the Minnesota History Center and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Nearby, walking and cycling paths run along the Mississippi River. Eating and drinking options range from chic bistros and a landmark art deco diner to trendy brewpubs with live music.
The West 7th area is a popular dining hub, with sleek international restaurants and trendy cafes in converted industrial buildings joining decades-old dive bars and steakhouses. The West 7th Street strip is also dotted with craft breweries, galleries and antiques stores. Victorian mansions cluster around Irvine Park with its ornamental fountain, and green spaces line the nearby riverbank.
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West Seventh
The West 7th area is a popular dining hub, with sleek international restaurants and trendy cafes in converted industrial buildings joining decades-old dive bars and steakhouses. The West 7th Street strip is also dotted with craft breweries, galleries and antiques stores. Victorian mansions cluster around Irvine Park with its ornamental fountain, and green spaces line the nearby riverbank.
Food scene
One of the local favorites in the twin cities. They do not deliver here but it is worth a visit!
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Pizza Luce
2200 E Franklin AveOne of the local favorites in the twin cities. They do not deliver here but it is worth a visit!
Being a part of a community means supporting the community. Redirecting our economic resources is one important step towards achieving racial equity in the Twin Cities business landscape, so let's make a conscious effort to support our Black-owned shops and businesses.
Afro Deli & Grill: St. Paul
5 W 7th PlBeing a part of a community means supporting the community. Redirecting our economic resources is one important step towards achieving racial equity in the Twin Cities business landscape, so let's make a conscious effort to support our Black-owned shops and businesses.
One of the most famous restaurants in the west side neighborhood. Mexican market & cafe serving classic eats, such as tacos, enchiladas & tamales, cafeteria-style.
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El Burrito Mercado
175 Cesar Chavez StOne of the most famous restaurants in the west side neighborhood. Mexican market & cafe serving classic eats, such as tacos, enchiladas & tamales, cafeteria-style.
Any fast food imaginable on Robert Street. Also liquor stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. 5min by car. Route 68 bus southbound will also get you there.
South Robert Street
South Robert StreetAny fast food imaginable on Robert Street. Also liquor stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. 5min by car. Route 68 bus southbound will also get you there.
Sightseeing
The award-winning Harriet Island Regional Park is one of Saint Paul's—and one of the Twin Cities'—most popular parks. Located alongside the Mississippi River near downtown Saint Paul, the 'island' boasts many amenities, including the Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion, a 5,000 square foot facility that hosts receptions, parties, weddings, and more throughout the year.
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Harriet Island
The award-winning Harriet Island Regional Park is one of Saint Paul's—and one of the Twin Cities'—most popular parks. Located alongside the Mississippi River near downtown Saint Paul, the 'island' boasts many amenities, including the Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion, a 5,000 square foot facility that hosts receptions, parties, weddings, and more throughout the year.
The Caves were transformed into a nightclub in 1933 called the 'Castle Royal'. Today, this event venue offers Historic Cave Tours that talk of mushrooms & mining, gangsters & ghosts. On Thursday nights there is a Big Band playing that transports you back to the 1930's from 6-10 pm. The Caves are also home to the Saint Paul Gangster Tour, a bus tour that takes you around town to the sights of mayham & mystery with a gangster as your guide. The Wabasha Street Caves are the perfect blend of history and intrigue.
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Wabasha Street Caves
215 Wabasha St SThe Caves were transformed into a nightclub in 1933 called the 'Castle Royal'. Today, this event venue offers Historic Cave Tours that talk of mushrooms & mining, gangsters & ghosts. On Thursday nights there is a Big Band playing that transports you back to the 1930's from 6-10 pm. The Caves are also home to the Saint Paul Gangster Tour, a bus tour that takes you around town to the sights of mayham & mystery with a gangster as your guide. The Wabasha Street Caves are the perfect blend of history and intrigue.
City/town information
Quaint town to escape the city life. Slow down and enjoy this historic logging town. Ride the trolley for a tour of the city. Rent bikes and loop the St Croix river where you will cross into Wisconsin. Sweeping views and great eats makes this town one of our favorites for a day trip.
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Stillwater
Quaint town to escape the city life. Slow down and enjoy this historic logging town. Ride the trolley for a tour of the city. Rent bikes and loop the St Croix river where you will cross into Wisconsin. Sweeping views and great eats makes this town one of our favorites for a day trip.
You can find anything going on in Minneapolis on any day of the week! Head downtown to get lost in the skyway system which connects tons of buildings and goes on for miles. Rent a bike and hop on the Greenway for some sights and/or exercise. Check out the trendy Uptown neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and activities. Minnehaha falls is one of the biggest waterfalls in MN and it is just a short drive from here.
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Minneapolis
You can find anything going on in Minneapolis on any day of the week! Head downtown to get lost in the skyway system which connects tons of buildings and goes on for miles. Rent a bike and hop on the Greenway for some sights and/or exercise. Check out the trendy Uptown neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and activities. Minnehaha falls is one of the biggest waterfalls in MN and it is just a short drive from here.
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Ukuzulazula
Public Transit Info: https://www.metrotransit.org/home
Hop on the bus route 68 which picks up just outside our home, to take you downtown St Paul. Take the light rail green line to downtown Minneapolis from Central Station.
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Explore Grub Hub, Doordash. Order directly to save fees.
Use Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Postmates, Doordash, Eat Street, Bitesquad, etc to explore options...
Sometimes you can order from restaurant directly to save fees